Lip shroud for a dragline lip

ABSTRACT

A lip shroud for a dragline lip is disclosed. The lip shroud may have a first sidewall. The first sidewall may have a first abutment surface including an opening. The lip shroud may have a second sidewall. The second side wall may have a second abutment surface. The second side wall may also have a securing portion configured for coupling to a lock assembly on the dragline lip. The lip shroud may have a centre wall having a third abutment surface. The centre wall may connect the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The first, second, and third abutment surfaces may define a channel configured to receive an edge portion of the dragline lip.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of replaceable wear parts, inparticular to a replaceable wear part for protection of a leading edgeof an earthmoving implement such as a drag line bucket, a face shovel,buckets for front-end loaders, excavators and the like.

BACKGROUND

Mining and earthmoving operations require a ground engaging implementthat may be generally provided on a vehicle. The ground engagingimplement may be a bucket such as a dragline bucket or an excavatorbucket. The leading edges of the bucket may be subjected to wear duringthe mining and earthmoving operations. The leading edges may include thedigging edge and structural elements that support the digging edge. Inorder to protect these leading edges from wear a wear member may beused.

The wear members may be bolted to the leading edges such as the portionsbetween the respective tip assemblies on the digging edge and thestructural elements supporting the digging edge. In other applications,the wear members may be fastened to the individual tip assemblies byvarious forms of fasteners or mechanical interlock systems.

The wear members may be welded to leading edges of the bucket toincrease the usable life of the implement. The wear members may operatein harsh working conditions and may be subjected to heavy loading and ahigh degree of wear so as to protect the leading edges from prematurewear. Accordingly, the wear members may wear out frequently and requireperiodic replacement.

Hence, there is a need to be able to quickly and easily remove a wornwear member and to replace it. However, wear members that are welded tothe leading edges may require substantial dismantling of the bucket fortheir removal. Further complications may arise when mechanical fasteningmethods, such as bolts or pins, are used to attach the wear members.

The mechanical fasteners are required to withstand large forces that mayarise during the mining and earth moving operations. These forces mayresult in deformation of the mechanical fastener, thereby rendering theremoval of the wear members more difficult.

Thus, a quick and easy removal of the wear members is required whileensuring that the wear members are securely mounted in a manner towithstand the considerable forces exerted thereon during operation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,214 describes a replaceable wear edge for theforward edge of an excavator such as the lip or wing and which mayinclude a U-shaped wear member. The wear member may be equipped with aT-shaped slot engageable with a conforming T-shaped boss on aconfronting surface on the excavator. The wear member upper surface maybe equipped with a keeper-equipped opening for receiving a lock betweenthe boss and wear member. Wear member may have spaced apart rearwardlyextending legs having slots to receive the boss.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,409 describes a wear protector system for shieldingthe leading edge of an earthmoving implement. The system includes anarrangement of shrouds that may cover the leading edge between thelaterally spaced digger teeth. Each shroud may have a nose portion thatwraps around the leading edge and a rearwardly extending tail portionhaving an abutment surface that engages an undercut abutment surface ofan anchor block that is welded to the bucket. The complementary abutmentsurfaces may retain the tail portion from moving upwardly away from thebucket surface. The shroud may be retained from movement forwardly outof engagement with the lip by use of a cotter pin extending transverselythrough a passage that is formed partially in the tail of the shroud.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,024,874 describes a wear member that includes a pair oflegs defining a slot straddling the digging edge of a piece ofexcavating equipment. In one construction, the slot is formed at itsfront end with a pair of inclined surfaces and a laterally extendingridge that is fit within a complementary channel on the digging edge. Alock is received within an opening in the wear member to releasablysecure the wear member to the digging edge.

The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to improving orovercoming one or more aspects of the prior art system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present disclosure describes a lip shroud for adragline lip. The lip shroud may comprise a first sidewall having afirst abutment surface provided with an opening; a second sidewallhaving a second abutment surface wherein the second sidewall has asecuring portion configured for coupling to a lock device on thedragline lip; and a centre wall having a third abutment surface, thecentre wall connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewallwherein the first, second and third abutment surfaces define a channelto receive an edge portion of the dragline lip.

In a second aspect, the present disclosure describes a dragline lipassembly. The dragline lip assembly may comprise a dragline lipcomprising at least one edge portion having a boss; and a lip shroud.The lip shroud may comprise a first sidewall having a first abutmentsurface provided with an opening; a second sidewall having a secondabutment surface wherein the second side wall has a securing portionconfigured for coupling to a lock device on the dragline lip; and acentre wall having a third abutment surface, the centre wall connectingthe first sidewall and the second sidewall wherein the first, second andthird abutment surfaces define a channel to receive the at least oneedge portion of the dragline lip wherein the boss is insertable in theopening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be more fully understood from the following descriptionof various embodiments, when read together with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a first isometric view of a lip shroud according to thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a second isometric view of the lip shroud according to thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a portion of a lip shroud of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross section of the lip shroud of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the lip shrouds of FIG. 1 and a bucketlip;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a structural element of a bucket lipavailable for mounting of the lip shroud of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a first sectional view of the lip shroud of FIG. 1 mounted onthe structural element of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a second sectional view of the lip shroud of FIG. 1 mounted onthe structural element of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the lip shroud of FIG. 1 coupled to alocking device provided on the structural element of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a dragline bucket with a bucket liphaving lip shrouds mounted thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure generally relates to a lip shroud for assembly onto aground engaging implement. The lip shroud may be used to protect aleading edge of the ground engaging implement from wear. In anembodiment, the ground engaging implement may be a dragline bucket.

FIG. 1 illustrates a lip shroud 10 for mounting to a dragline lip (notshown). The lip shroud 10 may comprise a first sidewall 14, a secondsidewall 16 and a centre wall 18. The first sidewall 14, second sidewall16 and centre wall 18 may be formed as a monolithic body 12. In anembodiment, first sidewall 14, second sidewall 16 and centre wall 18 maybe separately formed structures that are joined together to form thebody 12.

Lip shroud 10 may comprise a wear surface 20 that extends along thesurfaces of the first sidewall 14, the second sidewall 16 and the centrewall 18. Wear surface 20 may be the outer surface of body 12 thatcontacts material during work operations. One or more hoist loops 22 maybe positioned on the wear surface 20 to enable ease of handling by ahoist during attachment and removal operations of the lip shroud 10.

With reference to FIG. 2, the first sidewall 14 may have a firstabutment surface 24 of the lip shroud 10. First abutment surface 24 maybe on the side of the first sidewall 14 opposite to the side with thewear surface 20. First abutment surface 24 may abut a portion of thedragline lip (not shown). First abutment surface 24 may be provided witha first free edge 32 of the lip shroud 10. First abutment surface 24 maybe a curved surface having ends that are curved towards the wear surface20.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, first abutment surface 24 may beprovided with an opening 26. Opening 26 may be quadrangular in shape.Opening 26 may have sides 28. Sides 28 may be orthogonal to a portion ofthe first abutment surface 24. The portion of the first abutment surface24 may be the portions adjacent to sides 28. In an alternate embodiment,sides 28 may be orthogonal to the first abutment surface 24. Opening 26may have a floor 30.

In a further embodiment, floor 30 may be parallel to the first abutmentsurface 24. Floor 30 may be orthogonal to the sides 28. Opening 26 maybe centrally aligned on the third abutment surface 24. In an embodiment,a sloped wall 34 may connect the sides 28 to the first abutment surface24.

In an embodiment, opening 26 may be contiguous with the first free edge32 of the lip shroud 10. Opening 26 may be bordered by the sides 28 onthree sides and may not be enclosed on a fourth side. Opening 26 may beat least partially accessible at the unobstructed fourth side.

The opening 26 may be located at the first free edge 32. The opening 26may be at least partially accessible through the first free edge 32.First free edge 32 may have a breach 36 which enables passage into theopening 26. Sides 28 adjacent to the breach 36 may be normal thereto.Side 28 opposite the breach 36 may be parallel thereto. Side 28 oppositethe breach 36 may connected to sides 28 that are adjacent to the breach36 by curvatures 29. The curvatures 29 may have a radius ranging from 23mm to 27 mm. The curvatures 29 may have a radius of 25 mm. In a furtherembodiment, the three sides 28 may be bordered by three respectivesloped walls 34.

Opening 26 may have a length H ranging from 72 mm to 82 mm. Opening 26may have a length H of 77 mm. Opening 26 may have a width I ranging from100 mm to 105 mm. Opening 26 may have a width I of 102.01 mm. Opening 26may have a depth J ranging from 10.8 mm to 14.8 mm. Opening 26 may havea depth J of 12.8 mm.

The opening 26 may be formed in a suitable shape and may have suitabledimensions to receive a boss (not shown) provided on the dragline lip(not shown). In an alternative embodiment, the opening 26 may be athrough opening so as to extend through the first sidewall 14 and to beaccessible through both the first abutment surface 24 and the wearsurface 20.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, first sidewall 14 may have a plate-likestructure with curved ends. First sidewall 14 may have a length Aranging from 530 mm to 550 mm. First sidewall 14 may have a length A of540 mm. First sidewall 14 may have a width B ranging from 200 mm to 220mm. First sidewall 14 may have a width B of 210 mm. In an embodiment,first sidewall 14 may have a wing-like structure.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the second sidewall 16 may have asecond abutment surface 38 of the lip shroud 10. Second abutment surface38 may be on the side of the second sidewall 16 opposite to the sidewith the wear surface 20. Second abutment surface 38 may abut a portionof the dragline lip (not shown). Second abutment surface 38 may be acurved surface having ends that are curved towards the wear surface 20.

The second sidewall 16 may have a securing portion 40 configured forcoupling to a lock device (not shown) that is positioned on the draglinelip. Securing portion 30 may be recessed into the second abutmentsurface 38. Securing portion 40 may be extended in a direction normal tothe longitudinal axis of the second sidewall 16. Securing portion 40 maybe truncated at a second free edge 42 of the lip shroud 10. Securingportion 40 may have a longitudinal axis X. Longitudinal axis X may besubstantial to the longitudinal axis of the second sidewall 16. Securingportion 40 may be extended in a direction along the longitudinal axis X.

Securing portion 40 may be configured to have a centrally located void44. Void 44 may be extended in a direction transverse to both thelongitudinal axis of the second sidewall 16. Void 44 may extend tosecond free edge 42 of the lip shroud 10. Void 44 may be accessedthrough the second abutment surface 38 and through apertures 46 providedin the securing portion 40. The apertures 46 may be located opposite thesecond sidewall 16. Apertures 46 may be parallel to the second sidewall16. A plane transversally intersecting the apertures 46 may be parallelto the second sidewall 16. Apertures 46 may be parallel to the secondabutment surface 38. A plane transversally intersecting the apertures 46may be parallel to the abutment surface 38.

Securing portion 40 may comprise a base 48 that is joined to the secondabutment surface 38. Base 48 may be recessed from the second abutmentsurface 38. Base 48 may be contiguous with the second abutment surface38. Base 48 may form a three sided border around a portion of void 44.Base 48 may be inclined relative to the second abutment surface 28.

Securing portion 40 may comprise a confine 50 extending from the base 48inwards into the securing portion 40. Confine 50 may project in adirection substantially away from the second abutment surface 38.Confine 50 may form a three sided border around a portion of void 44that is contiguous with the border formed by the base 48.

Securing portion 40 may comprise a stepped portion 52 joined to theconfine 50 along an edge opposite to the edge joined to the base 48. Thestepped portion 52 may form a two sided border around a portion of void44 that is contiguous with the border formed by the confine 50. The twosided border may comprise two sides that are mutually opposite. Thestepped portion 52 may be transversally wider relative to the confine50. Stepped portion 52 may form passages 53 on the confine 50. Passages53 may be mutually parallel. Passages 53 may be parallel thelongitudinal axis X. Passages 53 may be laterally recessed into thesecuring portion 40. Passages 53 may be accessible from the second freeedge 42. The stepped portion 52 may receive a lock device (not shown).

The stepped portion 52 may connect the two opposite sides by a ceiling54 that extends over a portion of the void 44. The ceiling 54 may lie ona plane whereon lie the openings of the apertures 46. A portion of thelock device (not shown) may be held between the ceiling 54 and theconfine 50.

With reference to FIG. 2, second sidewall 16 may have a plate-likestructure with curved ends and provided with a protuberance in the formof the securing portion 40. The curved ends may be spaced from thesecuring portion 40. Second sidewall 16 may have a length C ranging from453 mm to 463 mm. Second sidewall 16 may have a length C of 458 mm. Withreference to FIG. 1, second sidewall 16 may have a width D ranging from535 mm to 545 mm. Second sidewall 16 may have a width D of 540 mm.

With reference to FIG. 2, the centre wall 18 may have a third abutmentsurface 56 of the lip shroud 10. Third abutment surface 56 may be on theside of the centre wall 18 opposite to the side with the wear surface20. Third abutment surface 56 may abut a portion of the dragline lip(not shown).

With reference to FIG. 1, centre wall 18 may have an apex 58 that formsthe tip of the lip shroud 10. Central portion of the apex 58 may berecessed into the centre wall 18. Wear surface 20 adjacent to the apex58 may be sunken into the centre wall 18. Centre wall 18 may have across section of a triangle with a base 59 that is curved. The base 59may be curved in the direction away from the apex 58. Base 59 may becurved in the direction away from the apex 56. The base 59 may have aradius ranging from 69 mm to 73 mm. The base 59 may have a radius of 71mm. Third abutment surface 56 comprise the base 59. Third abutmentsurface 56 may have a C-shaped cross section. Apex 58 may be offsetrelative to the centre of third abutment surface 56.

Centre wall 18 may have a length E ranging from 535 mm to 545 mm. Centrewall 18 may have a length E of 540 mm. Centre wall 18 may have a width Franging from 257 mm to 267 mm. Centre wall 18 may have a width F of 262mm. Centre wall 18 may have a height G ranging from 360 mm to 370 mm.Centre wall 18 may have a height G of 365 mm.

With respect to FIG. 4, the centre wall 18 may connect the firstsidewall 14 and the second sidewall 16. First and second sidewall 14, 16may be bifurcate extensions of the lip shroud 10 from the centre wall18. First and second sidewall 14, 16 may be mutually angularly spaced.First sidewall 16 may extend further from the centre wall 18 relative tosecond sidewall 14. First free edge 32 may extend to securing portion30. First free edge 32 may extend to apertures 46.

The first, second and third abutment surfaces 24, 38, 56 may define achannel 60. The first, second and third abutment surfaces 24, 38, 56 mayform a contiguous abutment surface. Channel 60 may be formed interiorlyrelative to the external wear surface 20. Channel 60 may be configuredto receive a structural element of the dragline lip. The channel 60 mayhave a substantially U shaped cross section.

The length of the channel 60 may be defined by the first, second andthird abutment surfaces 24, 38, 56. The channel 60 may have a length Mranging from 453 mm to 463 mm along the second abutment surface 38. Thechannel 60 may have a length M of 458 mm along the second abutmentsurface 38. The channel 60 may have a length N ranging from 204 mm to214 mm along the first abutment surface 24. The channel 60 may have alength N of 209 mm along the first abutment surface 24.

The first abutment surface 24 at the first free edge 32 may be linearlyspaced from the second abutment surface 38 by a distance L ranging from173 mm to 183 mm. The first abutment surface 24 at the first free edge32 may be linearly spaced from the second abutment surface 38 by adistance L of 178 mm. With reference to FIG. 2, the lip shroud 10 mayhave at least one raised contact portion 64. The at least one raisedcontact portion 64 may be positioned on the first, second and thirdabutment surfaces 24, 38, 56. Raised contact portion 64 may becontiguous with a first free edge 32 of the lip shroud 10. The raisedcontact portion 64 may be substantially U-shaped.

Raised contact portion 64 may eliminate the need for full surfacecontact between the lip shroud 10 and the dragline lip. Full contactsurfaces may require closer manufacturing tolerances. The raised contactportion 64 may enable easier working during servicing instead of a fullcontact surfaces.

With reference to FIG. 4, in an embodiment, The raised contact portion64 at the first free edge 32 may be linearly spaced from the secondabutment surface 38 by a distance L ranging from 173 mm to 183 mm. Theraised contact portion 64 at the first free edge 32 may be linearlyspaced from the second abutment surface 38 by a distance L of 178 mm.

In a further embodiment, first abutment surface 24 may have a pluralityof raised contact portions 64. The raised contact portions 64 may bepositioned in an arrangement. The raised contact portions 64 may bearranged in a plurality of rows. The raised contact portions 64 mayextend from the first abutment surface 24 across the third abutmentsurface 56 to the second abutment surface 38. The plurality of rows maybe parallel. In an alternative embodiment, the raised contact portions64 may be arranged in a staggered arrangement.

In yet a further embodiment, a raised contact portion 64 may be providedcentrally on the third abutment surface 56 and positioned between thesecuring portion 40 and the opening 26. Two raised contact portions 64may be provided on either side of the centrally positioned raisedcontact portion 64. The laterally positioned raised contact portions 64may extend from the first free edge 32 to the second abutment surface38. The laterally positioned raised contact portions 64 may be providedwith cut-outs 62 adjacent to the securing portion 40.

In yet a further embodiment, first abutment surface 24 may have aplurality of indentations positioned in an arrangement. The indentationsmay be arranged in a plurality of rows. The plurality of rows may beparallel. Alternatively, indentations may be arranged in a staggeredarrangement.

With reference to FIG. 4, the first sidewall 14 may be inclined relativeto the second sidewall 16. The first abutment surface 24 may be inclinedrelative to the second abutment surface 38. First and second sidewall14, 16 may be angularly spaced by an angle K ranging from 11 degrees to15 degrees. First and second sidewall 14, 16 may be angularly spaced byan angle K ranging of 13 degrees. In an alternative embodiment, thefirst sidewall 14 may be substantially parallel to the second sidewall16. The first abutment surface 24 may be substantially parallel to thesecond abutment surface 38.

The raised contact portion 64 on the first abutment surface 24 may havea surface that is inclined relative to a surface of the raised contactportion 64 on the second abutment surface 38. In an embodiment, thesurfaces of the plurality of raised contact portions 64 on therespective first abutment surface 24 may be inclined relative to thesurfaces of the plurality of raised contact portions 64 on the secondabutment surface 38. In an alternative embodiment, the surfaces ofplurality of raised contact portions 64 on the first abutment surface 24may be substantially parallel to the surfaces on the second abutmentsurface 38.

The void 44 may be recessed in a direction inclined relative to thefirst abutment surface 24. The void 44 may be recessed in a directioninclined relative to the surface of the at least one raised contactportion 64 or the surfaces of the plurality of raised contact portions64 on the first abutment surface 24. A plane transversally intersectingapertures 46 may be inclined relative to the first abutment surface 24.A plane transversally intersecting apertures 40 may be inclined relativeto the surface of the at least one raised contact portion 64 or thesurfaces of the plurality of raised contact portions 26 on the firstabutment surface 24.

Opening 26 may be inclined relative to the second sidewall 16. Opening26 may be inclined relative to the second abutment surface 38. A planetransversally intersecting the opening 26 may be inclined relative tothe second abutment surface 38. Floor 30 may be inclined relative to thesecond sidewall 16. Floor 30 may be inclined relative to the secondabutment surface 38. Floor 30 may be inclined relative to the ceiling54. Floor 30 may be inclined relative to the stepped portion 52. Floor30 may be inclined to the second abutment surface 38, the ceiling 54 orthe stepped portion 52 by an angle ranging from 11 degrees to 15degrees. Floor 30 may be inclined to the second abutment surface 38, theceiling 54 or the stepped portion 52 by an angle of 13 degrees.

Opening 26 may be inclined to the surface of the at least one raisedcontact portion 64 or the surfaces of the plurality of raised contactportions 26 on the second abutment surface 38. A plane transversallyintersecting the opening 26 may be inclined relative to the surface ofthe at least one raised contact portion 64 or the surfaces of theplurality of raised contact portions 64 on the second abutment surface38. Floor 30 may be inclined relative to the surface of the at least oneraised contact portion 64 or the surfaces of the plurality of raisedcontact portions 64 on the second abutment surface 38.

In an alternative embodiment, opening 26 may be substantially parallelto the second abutment surface 38. Opening 26 may be substantiallyparallel to the second abutment surface 38. A plane transversallyintersecting the opening 26 may be substantially parallel to the secondabutment surface 38. Floor 30 may inclined relative to the secondabutment surface 38.

Opening 26 may be substantially parallel to the surface of the at leastone raised contact portion 64 or the surfaces of the plurality of raisedcontact portions 64 on the second abutment surface 38. A planetransversally intersecting the opening 26 may be substantially parallelto the surface of the at least one raised contact portion 64 or thesurfaces of the plurality of raised contact portions 64 on the secondabutment surface 38. Floor 30 may substantially parallel to the surfaceof the at least one raised contact portion 64 or the surfaces of theplurality of raised contact portions 64 on the second abutment surface38.

The opening 26 may be centrally aligned on the first abutment surface 24and the securing portion 40 may be centrally aligned on the secondsidewall 16. Opening 26 may face the securing portion 40. Sides 28 maybe extended from the first abutment surface 24 in a direction away fromthe securing portion 40. Sides 28 of the opening 26 may be substantiallyorthogonal to the securing portion 40.

At least one side 28 may be substantially orthogonal to the longitudinalaxis X of the securing portion 40. At least one side 28 may besubstantially orthogonal to the passages 53 of the securing portion 40.At least one side 28 may be substantially orthogonal to the ceiling 54of the securing portion 40. The at least one side 28 may be opposite thebreach 36.

Sides 28 of the opening 26 may be substantially orthogonal to the secondabutment surface 38. Sides 28 may be substantially orthogonal to thesurface of the at least one raised contact portion 64 or the surfaces ofthe plurality of raised contact portions 64 on the second abutmentsurface 38.

FIG. 5 illustrates a dragline lip 66 for a dragline bucket. The draglinelip 66 may be a cast dragline lip 66. Dragline lip 66 may present theleading edge of the dragline bucket and may be subject to wear duringmining and earthmoving operations. Dragline lip 66 may have structuralelements in the form of upright member 68 and a lip member 70. Uprightmembers 64 may project from the lip member 70 inclined away from thecentre of the lip member 70. Each upright member 64 may be inclined atan angle of 4 degrees to 6 degrees from the lip member 70. Each uprightmember 64 may be inclined at an angle of 5 degrees from the lip member70. In an embodiment, upright members 68 may project orthogonally fromthe lip member 70.

The dragline lip 66 may be a monolithic structure. The upright members68 may be located at opposite ends of the lip member 70 and may bemirror opposites. Upright members 68 may have coupling ends 72 forconnection to the respective parts of the dragline bucket.

A coupling surface 77 may extend between the upright members 64 acrossthe lip member 70. The coupling surface 77 may be formed on the sideopposite the side receiving the wing shrouds 10. The coupling ends 76and the coupling surface 77 may be welded to the dragline bucket (notshown).

Lip shrouds 10 may be mountable at the respective edge portions 74 ofthe lip member 70 for protection thereof from wear. Lip shrouds 10 mayhave a suitable dimension to fit onto the respective edge portions 74 ofthe lip member 70. Lip shrouds 10 may be mounted to edge portions 74between respective tips 76. Lip member 70 may be provided withsupporting portions 78 whereon lock assemblies 80 are rigidly mounted.Lock assembly 80 may couple to the securing portion 40 on the respectivelip shroud 10. The coupling of the lock assembly 80 to the securingportion 40 enables the lip shroud 10 to be maintained on the edgeportion 74.

FIG. 6 illustrates a reverse side of the edge portion 74 of the lipmember 70. The edge portion 74 of the lip member 70 may be provided witha boss 82. The boss 82 may be quadrangular in shape. In an embodiment,boss 82 may be suitably shaped and may have a suitable dimension to beinserted into the opening 26 of the lip shroud 10. The boss 82 may bepositioned adjacent an abutting crest 90 of the edge portion 74. In anembodiment, the lock assembly 80 may be positioned at substantially thesame distance as the boss 82 on opposite sides of the lip member 70 withreference from the abutting crest 84.

FIG. 7 illustrates a section of a dragline lip assembly 100 with a lipshroud 10 mounted on a respective lip member 70. The dragline lipassembly 100 may comprise a dragline lip 66 comprising at least one edgeportion 74 having a boss 82; and a lip shroud 10. The lip shroud 10 maycomprise a first sidewall 14 having a first abutment surface 24 providedwith an opening 26; a second sidewall 16 having a second abutmentsurface 38 wherein the second sidewall 16 has a securing portion 40configured for coupling to a lock assembly 80 on the dragline lip 66;and a centre wall 18 having a third abutment surface 56, the centre wall18 connecting the first sidewall 14 and the second sidewall 16 whereinthe first, second and third abutment surfaces 24, 38, 56 define achannel 60 to receive the at least one edge portion 74 of the draglinelip 66 wherein the boss 82 is insertable in the opening 26.

With reference to FIG. 8, the edge portion 74 may comprise a firstcontact surface 84 and a second contact surface 86. The second contactsurface 86 may have the lock weldment 94. The first and second contactsurfaces 84, 86 may be mutually inclined. The first contact surface 84may be provided with the boss 82. The boss 82 may be inclined relativeto the second contact surface 86. The boss 82 may be centrallypositioned on the first contact surface 84 and extends away from thesecond contact surface 86.

The edge portion 74 may further comprise a third contact surface 88connecting the first contact surface 84 to the second contact surface86. The third contact surface 88 may have a substantially circular crosssection. First contact surface 84 and the second contact surface 86bifurcate from the third contact surface 88. The third contact surface88 may be provided with the abutting crest 90. First, second and thirdcontact surfaces 84, 86, 88 may abut respective first, second and thirdabutment surfaces 24, 38, 56 of the lip shroud 10. First, second andthird contact surfaces 84, 86, 88 may fit in the channel 60.

Lock assembly 80 may be coupled to the securing portion 40. Lockassembly 80 may comprise a lock element 93 and a lock weldment 94. Thelock element 93 may be inserted into the lip shroud 10 within the void44 of the securing portion 40. Lock weldment 94 may be welded to the lipmember 70. In an embodiment, two lock elements 93 may be provided in thelip shroud 10 within the respective apertures 46.

The lock element 93 may have a first abutment portion 96 and a secondabutment portion 98. First lock element 93 may rotatably interact withthe securing portion 40. First abutment portion 96 may be rotatably heldin the aperture 46. Second abutment portion 98 may abut with the lockweldment 94. In an embodiment, the lock element 93 may be installed inthe lip shroud 10 to couple to the lock weldment 94 provided on thedragline lip 66.

In a lock position of the lock element 93, the second abutment portion98 may abut a side of the lock weldment 94 the side furthest from theopening 26 and the boss 82. With the lock element 93 in the lockposition, the lock assembly 80 may be interposed between the lip member66 and the lip shroud 10 to lock translational motion between lip member66 and the lip shroud 10. FIG. 9 illustrates the coupling of the lipshroud 10 at an edge portion 74. The lock assembly 80 may be coupled tothe securing portion 40 of the lip shroud 10. Lock weldment 94 may havewings 92 that engage at the stepped portion 52 of the securing portion40. Wings 92 may engage into the passages 53 and may be held by confine50 and ceiling 54.

FIG. 10 illustrates a dragline bucket 200 provided with the dragline lipassembly 100. The dragline lip assembly 100 may have the lip shrouds 10mounted to the respective edge portions 74 of the lip member 70.

The skilled person would appreciate that foregoing embodiments may bemodified or combined to obtain the lip shroud 10 of the presentdisclosure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

This disclosure describes a lip shroud 10 as a replaceable wear part fora ground engaging implement such as an excavator bucket or a draglinebucket. The lip shroud 10 may be mounted to the bucket. The lip shroud10 may be mounted to the corresponding structural element of the bucket,in particular between digger teeth provided on the bucket. Lip shroud 10may shield the structural element of the bucket from wear duringoperations such as mining and earth moving operations. Lip shroud 10 maybe made of materials suitable for the mining and earth movingoperations.

Lip shroud 10 may be easily and efficiently mounted on and dismountedfrom the bucket. Once the lip shroud 10 is consumed during mining andearth moving operations, the lip shroud 10 may be easily replaced withanother lip shroud 10.

The mounted lip shroud 10 may be subjected to forces that may result inthe decoupling thereof during the mining and earth moving operations.During discharge of material contained in a bucket, the lip shroud 10may be subjected to forces generated when the bucket contacts theground, such as during digging operations. Mounted lip shroud 10 may besubjected to forces that tend to effect a rotation thereof relative tothe structural element of the bucket. The mounted lip shroud 10 may besubjected to forces that tend to rotate the lip shroud 10 on a surfacethereof. Mounted lip shroud 10 may be subjected to a sideways rotationalmovement. The direction of the forces may be substantially parallel tothe apex 58 of the lip shroud 10. The direction of the forces may besubstantially parallel to the passages 53 of the securing portion 40.The direction of the forces may be substantially parallel to the wings92 of the lock weldment 94. The axis of rotation may intersect both thelip shroud 10 and the lip member 70. The coupling of the lock device tothe securing portion enables the lip shroud 10 to be maintained on theedge portion 74 in the absence of work operations and during mining andearth mining operations when the material is loaded into the bucket. Lipshroud 10 may avoid being decoupled from the bucket through theinteraction of the opening 44 and the boss 66. The interaction betweenthe lock assembly 80 and the securing portion 40 may be provided withgreater play relative to the interaction between the opening 26 and theboss 82 such that the load generated by the forces are shared by theinteraction between the lock assembly 80 and the securing portion 40 andthe interaction between the opening 26 and the boss 82.

Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalentsof the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permittedby applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-describedelements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by thedisclosure unless otherwise indicated herein.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed byreference signs, the reference signs have been included for the solepurpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly,neither the reference signs nor their absence have any limiting effecton the technical features as described above or on the scope of anyclaim elements.

One skilled in the art will realise the disclosure may be embodied inother specific forms without departing from the disclosure or essentialcharacteristics thereof The foregoing embodiments are therefore to beconsidered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting of thedisclosure described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated bythe appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and allchanges that come within the meaning and range of equivalence of theclaims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

The disclosures in European Patent Application No. 14157321.2 from whichthis application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

1. A lip shroud for a dragline lip, the lip shroud comprising: a firstsidewall having a first abutment surface including an opening; a secondsidewall having a second abutment surface and a securing portionconfigured for coupling to a lock assembly on the dragline lip; and acentre wall having a third abutment surface, the centre wall connectingthe first sidewall and the second sidewall wherein the first, second,and third abutment surfaces define a channel configured to receive anedge portion of the dragline lip.
 2. The lip shroud of claim 1 wherein aplane transversally intersecting the opening is inclined relative to thesecond abutment surface.
 3. The lip shroud of claim 1, wherein the firstsidewall his inclined relative to the second sidewall.
 4. The lip shroudof claim 1, wherein at least one side of the opening is orthogonal to alongitudinal axis (X) of the securing portion.
 5. The lip shroud ofclaim 1, wherein the opening is located at a first free edge, theopening being at least partially accessible through the first free edge.6. The lip shroud of claim 1, wherein the opening is centrally alignedon the first abutment surface and the securing portion is centrallyaligned on the second sidewall.
 7. The lip shroud of claim 1, whereinthe opening faces the securing portion.
 8. The lip shroud of claim 1,wherein the channel has a substantially U shaped cross section.
 9. Adragline lip assembly comprising: a dragline lip comprising at least oneedge portion having a boss; and a lip shroud comprising: a firstsidewall having a first abutment surface including an opening; a secondsidewall having a second abutment surface and a securing portionconfigured for coupling to a lock assembly on the dragline lip; and acentre wall having a third abutment surface, the centre wall connectingthe first sidewall and the second sidewall wherein the first, second,and third abutment surfaces define a channel configured to receive theat least one edge portion of the dragline lip wherein the boss isinsertable in the opening.
 10. The dragline lip assembly of claim 9wherein the at least one edge portion further comprises a first contactsurface and a second contact surface having a lock device wherein thefirst and second contact surfaces are mutually inclined.
 11. Thedragline lip assembly of claim 10 wherein the boss is provided on thefirst contact surface.
 12. The dragline lip assembly of claim 11 whereina plane transversally intersecting the boss his inclined relative to thesecond contact surface.
 13. The dragline lip assembly of claim 10,wherein the boss is centrally positioned on the first contact surfaceand extends away from the second contact surface.
 14. The dragline lipassembly of claim 10, wherein the at least one edge portion furthercomprises a third contact surface connecting the first contact surfaceto the second contact surface, the third contact surface having asubstantially circular cross section.
 15. The dragline lip assembly ofclaim 14 wherein the first contact surface and the second contactsurface bifurcate from the third contact surface.
 16. A dragline bucket,comprising: a dragline lip; a boss attached to the dragline lip; aplurality of digger teeth disposed on the dragline lip; a lip shroud,including: a first sidewall having a first abutment surface including anopening; a second sidewall having a second abutment surface and asecuring portion; and a centre wall having a third abutment surface, thecentre wall connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall, thefirst, second, and third abutment surfaces defining a channel configuredto receive the at least one edge portion of the dragline lip, the bossbeing insertable in the opening; and a lock assembly disposed betweenthe dragline lip and the lip shroud and configured to engage with thesecuring portion of the second sidewall.
 17. The dragline bucket ofclaim 16, wherein the lip shroud has an apex and the securing portionincludes: a ceiling; a base including a stepped portion disposedopposite the ceiling; a recess disposed between the stepped portion andthe ceiling; an aperture disposed in the ceiling; and a void extendingfrom a free edge of the lip shroud towards the apex, the void disposedbetween the ceiling and the base.
 18. The dragline bucket of claim 17,wherein the lock assembly includes: a lock element configured to beinserted into the void; and a lock weldment attached to the draglinelip.
 19. The dragline bucket of claim 18, wherein the lock elementincludes: a first abutment portion rotatably engaged with the aperture;and a second abutment portion abutting the lock weldment.
 20. Thedragline bucket of claim 18, wherein the lock weldment includes a wingthat engages with the recess.